I've lost my memory!

E

eXtreme5280

New Member
I have an IBM ThinkCentre Model 8433-94U with four memory slots for a maximum capacity 4Gb according to the system specifications. I have been running with two slots occupied, each with a 1Gb DDR PC2700 SIMM. I purchased two additional and identical 1Gb SIMMS to attempt to bring the system to the maximum capacity of 4Gb but no matter what I try, the system will only recognize 2.75Gb.
I have booted the system with a single 1Gb SIMM in any of the four slots and no matter what SIMM is where, I see 1Gb. Then I have booted the system with two SIMMS in every combination of slots and I see 2Gb. When I add the third SIMM in any combination of three slots, the maximum memory recognized is 2.75Gb. With four SIMMS, the maximum still remains at 2.75Gb. I'm running Windows XP Professional SP3. Any ideas on why the system does not recognize more then 2.75Gb? Thanks!
 
I'm running Windows XP Professional SP3. Any ideas on why the system does not recognize more then 2.75Gb? Thanks!
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You're using a 32-bit OS rather than a 64-bit. All your RAM is there, the system just can't 'see' all of it.
 
yes but 32bit is supposed to recognise 3.75 gigs im sure so i think your laptop might be holding 1gig back for graphics and other resorces!

if you know how to enter the BIOS have a look and see what ram is showing in there, if its showing your full 4gigs then i wouldnt worry about it
 
I failed to mention that this is a desktop system. The BIOS shows only 2.75Gb. Under the performance tab of the task manager it shows only 2.75Gb. The system properties in the control panel only shows 2.75Gb. Yes, I do have a separate PNY NIVDIA GeForce FX 5200 256Mb PCI graphics card installed. I checked the BIOS version on the manufacturer's web site and it is current and dated 2005/08/23.
This system is a 2005 vintage and came with Windows XP Professional installed so I would have thought that it was capable of addressing the maximum 4Gb of memory that the system is designed to have installed?
 
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32 bit OS's are only capable of addressing 2^32 bytes of memory, this includes graphics, system memory etc... Hence why you don't see it all.
 
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